Global maritime authorities have ramped up enforcement against shadow fleets in the final days of 2025, targeting vessels and operators evading sanctions on Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil exports. These actions underscore growing concerns over high-risk shipping practices, environmental threats, and geopolitical tensions.
EU Sanctions Nine Firms and Individuals in Russian Shadow Fleet Crackdown
On December 31, 2025, the European Union imposed sanctions on nine shipping companies and five businessmen linked to Russias shadow tanker fleet, as part of efforts to disrupt Moscows oil revenue streams. The targeted entities include UAE-based Nova Shipmanagement and Citrine Marine, Vietnam-based Hung Phat Maritime Trading, and Russia-based SeverTransBunker. Individuals sanctioned include Canadian-Pakistani businessman Murtaza Ali Lakhani, accused of facilitating exports for Rosneft, and Anar Madatli and Talat Safarov from UAE-based 2Rivers Group, previously Coral Energy.
The EU Council highlighted connections to major Russian oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil, noting irregular shipping practices that conceal oil origins. This follows Ukraine sanctioning 656 shadow fleet ships on December 13, flagged in over 50 countries including Gambia, Sierra Leone, Panama, and Cameroon. The measures align with coordinated efforts by the EU, UK, and US.
US Treasury Targets 29 Iranian Shadow Fleet Vessels
The US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on 29 shadow fleet vessels and associated management firms transporting Iranian petroleum products to Asia. Key targets include Palau-flagged Nebula Drift (IMO 9233973) and Aether Sail (IMO 9277371), Panama-flagged Tidal Rhythm (IMO 9297101) and Voyager Haven (IMO 9271896) managed by Phoenix Ship Management FZE, which carried condensate, bitumen, and naphtha in 2025.
Other sanctioned vessels comprise Panama-flagged Foshan (IMO 9404572) operated by Sinostar Marine Group Limited, Palau-flagged Hemera (IMO 9263954) by Hemera Lines Inc., Panama-flagged Nomiki (IMO 9242443) by Agape Shipping Inc., Cook Islands-flagged Maruti (IMO 9546710) by Maruti Shipping Inc., and Liberia-based Golden Eagle (IMO 9255684) by Everest Sea Navigation SA. Egyptian businessman Hatem Elsaid Farid Ibrahim Sakr faces designation for links to seven vessels. Since early 2025, these ships have moved millions of barrels, evading sanctions via deceptive practices.
US Hits Four Tankers Tied to Venezuela Shadow Fleet
OFAC also sanctioned four oil tankers involved in Venezuelas sanctions evasion network, funneling revenue to President Nicolás Maduro. The crude tanker Nord Star, owned by Corniola Limited and managed by Krape Myrtle Co Ltd, along with oil products tanker Rosalind (aka Lunar) owned by Winky International Limited, and tanker Della owned by Aries Global Investment Ltd, were designated as blocked property for transporting Venezuelan oil.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the administrations commitment to preventing the Maduro regime from profiting amid drug trafficking concerns. These actions target a broader maritime network defying US law.
Finland Detains Cargo Ship in Baltic Amid Suspected Sabotage
Finnish authorities detained the cargo ship Fitburg in the Baltic Sea following suspected sabotage of a data cable, uncovering hidden sanctioned Russian cargo. The operation involved commandos and highlights hybrid threats in the region, with potential shadow fleet ties.
Arctic Northern Sea Route Emerges as Shadow Fleet Corridor
A report reveals that nearly one-third of 2025 cargo ships on Russias Northern Sea Route (NSR) belonged to the sanctioned shadow fleet, including 38 poorly maintained oil tankers lacking ice classification and insurance. Russian officials halting NSR data publication exacerbates accident risks in the Arctic.
These developments signal a multi-front regulatory offensive against shadow fleets, which have proliferated among Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to sustain oil exports despite Western restrictions. The shadow tanker count for multiple sanctioned nations reached 193 by late August 2025, up fivefold year-over-year.